Portsmouth – Sydney sister cities In 1787, Arthur Phillip led what was to become known as the First Fleet from Portsmouth's harbour. The following year the boats entered Port Jackson and the European settlement of Sydney began. In 1984, Sydney and Portsmouth signed a Sister City agreement, which is commemorated in this unique performance celebrating both historic and modern cultural links.

This concert begins with Barber’s beautiful, evocative Summer Music, followed by the UK Premiere of Matthew Hindson’s “Light is Both a Particle and a Wave”, written in 2010 for the Australia Ensemble@ UNSW (of which the Goldner players are all members). This piece is a brilliant reflection of the festival's ethos combining science and music. The first half ends with Poulenc’s gorgeous and uplifting Sextet for Piano and Winds. The second half comprises Schubert’s Octet, one of his most inspired chamber works featuring a veritable mini orchestra.

The centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten, regarded as one of the greatest of all British composers, falls in 2013. This programme features two of his early works: his haunting and edgy first String Quartet and his Suite for Violin and Piano. The programme is completed by the dramatic and beautiful Violin Sonata by Britten’s teacher, Frank Bridge.

Roderick Williams sings extracts from some of the greatest poets in the English language, set to music by some of the greatest (mostly) English composers. In recognition of the Britten centenary, both Britten and his teacher, Frank Bridge, play a prominent role. Poetry both in words and music.

The final gala concert is an unashamed celebration of one of classical music's most popular works. Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons" is possibly the most famous classical piece of all time. Here, the four violinists of the 2013 festival will each play a season. The final work of the festival is Mendelssohn’s great string octet, a magnificent piece of music for the combined forces of two string quartets.